PCDD and PCDF exposures in workers and controls living near an industrial waste incinerator

This study measured the levels of 17 congeners of PCDDs/PCDFs in serum to c ompare the levels between potentially exposed workers at an industrial wast e incinerator and any residents with no known exposures. The 1,2,3,6,7,8- a nd 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD were detected in serum of workers but in controls. Lik ewise, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF, 1,2,3,6,7,8- and 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF were detected on ly in serum of workers. The international toxic equivalent (TEQ) levels of PCDDs/PCDFs in sera of workers are much higher than in controls. Among PCDD s, the proportion of total concentration and TEQ level is dominated predomi nantly by 1,2,3,6,7,8- and 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD. We need extensive studies to estimate human exposure and are continuing this investigation. (C) 2001 Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.